Upstart Pastry Chef ~Territory Management of a Genius Pâtisserie~

Chapter 12: A Date with Faruno and Eclaba’s Darkness

After the engagement party ended in huge success, I took my time to have plenty of rest in Fernandes manor. Around dinner time, I put up a request for Marquis Fernandes to plan an immigration recruitment proposal to Arnold fief. People should gather in about a month, most likely. This way, Arnold fief will go into a huge development stage.

After talking to Marquis Fernandes and Faruno, I will bring her to my territory in a week. Faruno happily said that the mansion that she built in my village should be able to be finished by then.

Volg is working hard right now as well, for sure, in completing the mansion.

“Kurt-sama, this is a date afterall, so please wear a happy smile.”

“My apologies, Faruno-sama.”

Since she will be leaving in a week, Faruno took a tour around Eclaba.

“Is it really okay for me to tag along? Kurt-sama, Faruno-sama?” Walking behind me, Tina looks deeply apologetic while asking that question.

“I told you, it’s really all right. Kurt-sama won’t be able to enjoy the trip if you are being left behind. It’s better if you come with us like this.”

Tina initially wanted to busy herself. However, Faruno said that she had planned to bring her along as well. In her words, it’s better to steal me* fair and square, she won’t use underhanded way at all. It sounds more like a man’s way of thinking.

“Faruno-sama, I wish to escort you, but regretfully I’m really not familiar with this area. I have absolutely no idea where to bring you to let you enjoy the trip in the city.”

“Leave me with that task, Kurt-sama. This place is my backyard, I will take you around to wonderful places.”

Faruno takes and holds my hand. Surprisingly, she sounds promising.

“Also, Kurt-sama, please drop the honorary speech. You’re the man who will become my husband. Moreover, it’s already officially recognized. From now on, please speak to me like you’ll speak to Tina-san.”

We are betrothed in name only, it’s not decided if we’re going through marriage; Faruno has expressed that she understood that nature, if I recall correctly.

“However, our statuses-”

“Before being a marquis’ daughter, I am your fiancee. Therefore, your standing is higher than mine.”

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“...........Understood. Let’s speak more casually from now on.”

When I said so, Faruno gave me a satisfied smile.

“Yes, you are more charming when speaking that way. Please do so from now on. Now, there is a theater that I really like in that direction. The program they’re showing this time is a tale of legendary heroes party, [Maken no Shippo (The Magic Sword’s Tail)]. It sounds delightful.”

“It does sound interesting.”

Faruno looks festive. Oh, well, isn’t it okay? If she can become happy with that, I’m relieved. As I think so, Faruno bumps into a boy with small stature.

“Ah, I’m sorry.” Faruno staggers, making the boy look worried and open his mouth like that.

“No, please don’t be worried, are you wounded?”

“......Not at all. I’m going now.”

The boy disappears after the short apology.

“Faruno, are you okay?”

“Yes, I’m fine. I was too excited before.”

Faruno looks embarrassed from her antics.

“It’s okay to be excited, but pay attention to things in front of you, okay?”

“Indeed I should.......... ah.”

Faruno’s face become pale.

“Did something happen?”

“It’s just my prediction, but that boy could be a pickpocket. It seems he has stolen my pouch.”

“Is that so?”

So that’s why he seemed awfully hurried to get away from here after bumping into her. In that split second, he has already stolen the pouch with the dexterity of his hand. This shouldn’t be his first time doing this criminal act.

“Tina, I’ll leave Faruno to you. I’m going to chase that kid now.”

“Understood. Leave Faruno-sama to me.”

With Tina and her ability to use magic, I can feel relieved.

“Kurt-sama, I’ll leave it to you. The money itself isn’t important, the pouch itself is a precious gift from my father.”

“I understand, I’m leaving now.”

I hurry, aiming to run past the boy. I’m confident in the strength of my memory. I’ll surely be able to find him soon.

☘

After running full speed, I can somehow spot the boy who bumped into Faruno before. Noticing me, the boy frantically made his run, but I easily catch him in a deserted back alley.

“Let go, let me go!”

“If you return the pouch you took earlier, I’ll let you go.”

“Whatcha talking about, I dunno nothing!”

He seems to plan on playing dumb to the bitter end. With a wry smile, I search into his pocket and grab the pouch Faruno used before.

“This is my companion’s belonging. I’ll take it back.”

“Ah!”

The boy covers his head after realizing that he’s caught redhanded.

“Kurt-sama!”

In that moment, Tina arrives. Faruno is following behind.

“Tina, why are you here?”

“Faruno-sama asks to be brought here...... I caught Kurt-sama’s scent.”

Tina and her sharp nose. If it’s to look for my scent that she’s really familiar with, she can find me no matter how far we’re apart.

“Then it cannot be helped. Faruno, I’ve taken back your pouch.”

I release the boy, then handing over the pouch to Faruno.

“Thank you very much. Kurt-sama, you’ve returned this precious pouch to me.” Faruno holds the pouch close and gives it a squeeze.

The boy looks at us with loathing eyes.

“Won’t you give me to the guards?”

“That kind of thing sounds too troublesome. You may make your escape now.”

I want to avoid having to drag the boy against his will or spend time for investigation if I can.

“‘that so? Then, I’ll take my leave here.”

When the boy said so, several boys and girls showed up.

“Hey, Johann! Mille... Mille is done over. She’s badly hurt! Come, hurry!”

“There’s blood everywhere, she’s going to die at this rate!”

“She’s beaten severely by a scary man, and that was taken!”

Those boys and girls took turn in speaking up, making the boy turn pallid.

“Mille!? Shit, take me there quickly!”

Then he starts running with the group who came here for him.

From the start, I already know what kind of children they are from their looks and actions. A group of orphans, in order to buy food, they even resort to criminal conducts like pickpocket, creating the harsh look in their eyes. They’re paying for their mistakes, I have no duty to lend a hand.

But......

“Kurt-sama,” Faruno looks straight into my eyes. She’s most likely thinking to chase after them and help the girl names Mille.

I wryly smile.

“I’ll say this clearly: I have nothing but bad feelings about this.”

“Even so. I need to know what is happening in my town.”

Her gaze is full of determination. There’s nothing else I can say in front of them.

“I know. We’ll chase them. Tina!”

“Kurt-sama, it’s fine. I’ve burned the smell to my memory.”

If it’s just me, I can simply chase after them. But there’s Faruno. I shall follow them by relying on the smell that Tina memorizes this time.

I’ve thought about dropping off Faruno who cannot fight, but since both Tina and I are here, it should be all right.